Comments on: Pepperdine Divorces Proposition 8http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/03/3255
News, analysis and fact-checking of anti-gay rhetoricTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:17:38 +0000hourly1By: Wendyhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/03/3255/comment-page-1#comment-19207
Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:23:31 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=3255#comment-19207http://perezhilton.com/2008-10-16-gay-marriage-will-corrupt-the-youth-of-america
]]>By: Yet Another Alumnushttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/03/3255/comment-page-1#comment-19036
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:00:32 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=3255#comment-19036I have been engaged in a debate with the Pepperdine administration, including someone who has a gay son. Pepperdine is claiming “academic freedom,” and has not responded to my argument that academic freedom does not include the freedom to lie. I am disgusted by this whole matter. It comes down to this: Pepperdine, like any university, is interested in raising money. That, in turn, means placating donors. Money talks, the truth walks. I guarantee you that, religious affiliation aside, if Pepperdine had a number of major donors who were against Prop 8, it would have taken a much different approach with Peterson — or may have had a professor appear in a No on 8 ad instead.

I spent two years as a student working for the admissions department at Pepperdine, including two summers that I spent working at church camps and spreading the good news about the school. And now I am completely ashamed to be an alumnus.

I want to provide an update on an issue that weighs heavily on many of our minds: encouraging academic freedom while refraining from political endorsement by Pepperdine University. As most are aware, Yes on 8 ads airing on television and radio feature one of our professors. The Pepperdine name is prominently displayed in the current round of ads and many vocal supporters and opponents of Prop 8 see the opinions expressed as not only the professor’s, but Pepperdine’s as well.

Many of our professors write op-eds, books and give speeches; and they are appropriately identified with Pepperdine University. My first reaction to this series of television ads was that Pepperdine was too prominent. Many on the faculty disagreed, some agreed strongly. At the faculty conference I learned that a disclaimer would satisfy the professor and others who were involved. We offered language that was simple and clear, and while we knew the firestorm would continue in some quarters, we felt a straightforward disclaimer would allow the professor his right to speak and our right to remain outside any role of endorsement in the political fray. The next day, I learned that the professor and those promoting Proposition 8 preferred to withdraw Pepperdine’s name completely. We agreed. It was a change from a position announced just the day before, but it seemed a stronger measure and appropriate.

Just prior to running a second ad, the campaign announced to us that in their opinion it would be more effective if Pepperdine’s name was back in. They added a disclaimer, albeit so small and bare, that most do not see it. It was not the language which we had suggested. They did not ask us; they told us what they were going to do, and they did it.

Without any involvement in the campaign, Pepperdine has been lionized and vilified. We have been given credit where it is not due and blamed beyond anyone’s wildest imaginings. I, and perhaps many of you, continue to receive words of praise and condemnation from people who are either thanking us, or sharply criticizing us. Whether the writers are for or against Prop 8, I take no comfort from either position as it puts us where we don’t belong — in partisan politics.

This is a very challenging situation. We believe that the right to freedom of expression must be balanced with the fact that universities cannot endorse political candidates and propositions. We can host debates, we can educate, but we can’t endorse.

We regret when anyone supposes that we are inappropriately involved in a political issue when we are not. We will take whatever measures we deem appropriate to correct the misunderstanding. I will be writing to alumni and donors to explain the delicate nature of the balance we strike. We must not chill the right to free expression, but we must also avoid the appearance (intended or not) of political partisanship.

You can be of service to our institution by helping us clear up this confusion with those who may ask. I appreciate your understanding, your assistance and your patience.

]]>By: Tracyhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/03/3255/comment-page-1#comment-19009
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:24:10 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=3255#comment-19009I wonder if this Professor of Law, back in the day, would have come out as aggressively when blacks and whites were allowed to marry. People like him exist. We can only hope that the gays in his family (which there are) will show him that gay people are people. Surely, he will have his place in history and he’ll probably be the guy, who in 30 years, says he was wrong and naive.
]]>By: cowboyhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/03/3255/comment-page-1#comment-18687
Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:21:30 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=3255#comment-18687It is somewhat common for BYU students to choose to attend Pepperdine for their post-graduate degrees. It is recommended by student advisors and faculty at the “Y”.

The tentacles of the Church has infiltrated the unwary…it is the BYU Campus West Coast (aka Pepperdine) as some would like it (playfully) to be called.

]]>By: Wendyhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/03/3255/comment-page-1#comment-18676
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:30:45 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=3255#comment-18676It gets worse. They have a NEW commercial now with new garbage out of his mouth and it says Pepperdine too.https://www.icontribute.us/protectmarriage/initiative/already
]]>By: Wendyhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/03/3255/comment-page-1#comment-18630
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:24:39 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=3255#comment-18630The ad is still up on the Prop 8 website and it still says “Pepperdine”.
]]>By: Another Pdine Alumhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/03/3255/comment-page-1#comment-18604
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:12:59 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=3255#comment-18604Don’t be fooled Pepperdine is anti gay marriage, but they are not stupid enough to alienate vast amounts of their student body and alumnus in order to get that point across. As a former student I know there are a lot more gay students at Pepperdine than they care to admit. I am shocked that as a law professor he didn’t realize by agreeing to do this ad he was giving them the green light to flash Pepperdine across the screen. They won’t fire him right away, but Pepperdine hates bad publicity, so it will only be a matter of time before they find a way to push him out.
]]>By: Timothy Kincaidhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/03/3255/comment-page-1#comment-18592
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:09:49 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=3255#comment-18592johnson,